This research team will collaborate with CBCRP to develop and implement a planning process for the second phase of the Special Research Initiatives (SRI). They will build on the initial SRI strategy development process and work with a range of experts to develop sound and innovative recommendations to the CBCRP’s Breast Cancer Research Council. The result will be a new strategy for researching the priorities established by the Council: the role of the environment in breast cancer, disparities in the disease, and both population- and individual-level interventions. Specifically they will address the following questions.

1. What are the most compelling strategies for research into identifying and eliminating environmental causes or exacerbations of breast cancer?
2. What are the most promising research opportunities for identifying and eliminating disparities/inequities in the burden of breast cancer in California?
3. What impacts have the previous SRI projects had and what opportunities have they created?
4. What are the gaps and opportunities for high-impact research on population-level interventions (including policy research) on known or suspected breast cancer risk factors and protective measures?
5. How can California resources be best used to advance progress in the primary prevention of breast cancer?

The PI and team will work with the CBCRP to identify and recruit a Steering Committee to shape the next phase of SRI. They will engage a variety of advisors, from the four primary topic areas and from the patient/community advocacy community. Expertise will range from the science of cancer disparities, environmental health, breast cancer, population-level interventions (including policy) for known and suspected breast cancer risk factors and protective measures; and targeted interventions for high-risk individuals, including new methods for identifying or assessing risk.

Community members will participate in the Steering Committee and will act as advisors. There will be multiple mechanisms for interested individuals and organizations to learn about and provide input into the process and on the research topics.

Research ideas will be generated and developed based upon results and impacts of the initial SRI projects, assessment of the latest science in the environment and disparities, and systematic, targeted reviews of the research on new the topics of prevention and interventions. Focused, innovative recommendations for coordinated, directed, and collaborative research projects that address the specific aims of this initiative and meet previously established SRI criteria for research strategies will be presented to the CBCRP’s Breast Cancer Research Council for their action.